Sarah Miner
December 1st, 2017
Integrative studio: Memory
The successes I have witnessed in myself this semester doesn’t stem from growth, I am not an artist and have never defined myself as such. This first semester in seminar and studio didn’t change me, it created a whole new side of me I have never even been in touch with. It is hard for me to qualify this as an artist statement, because even after this time I would never categorize myself as such. The skills I have learned and maintained have been exactly that, all learned from August to December. It can be clearly demonstrated in my studio projects, the first few weeks you can see my intimidation and fear present in my work. They are not a representation of myself but of a project outline. This was a main challenge I have seen. I was never forced to take instructions as outlines, instructions or prompts were what it was exactly supposed to be. So this new concept of being able to build off a initial idea was a totally new ballpark. That adjustment period was difficult for myself because it was hard to solidify who I was in this art environment when I felt such a disconnect. I still do. I am here for business and question where I fit in. Luckily for me seminar was kind of an outlet for that, I have always been comfortable with writing. I wouldn’t say I excel in that ether but I do feel more of a grounding. I’ve always noticed I have a strong presence of me in anything I write and that has never changed all through my life. It has defiantly been challenged this semester and tested because I was forced to talk specifically on the behalf of another on bridge #2, this type of writing was new to me. How do I place myself in someone when writing about someone else’s life? I was once again left with this disconnect from my peers and education. But if I had to name a turning point this would be it in both studio and seminar. With personal criticism and peer cirism I realized what makes me an artist is however I chose. I discovered this side of myself that wasn’t a visual artist with a body of works of art, but this person with ideas and themes that represent my creativity. I have found a whole new creative side to myself that in high school was never forced to tap into. Once I discovered this side of myself my writing and my work grew significantly, and after looking back at my projects I can physically see those changes.
I always knew Parsons was an art school but I never realized to the extent until I was in it. It has defiantly been one of the most challenging experiences but also the most rewarding. I learned not only new artist skills but ways of thinking presented in seminar and studio. I have shaped myself to recognize growth separately from failure. I suppose most students will discuss their hardships in the creations of their work but for me it has really been this final end, looking back and seeing how far I’ve come. Am I ever going to sell paintings? Make art as a hobby? Refer to myself or categorize myself as an artist? Probably not, but I have gained new information and a sense of confidence from this whole experience.
